12. a. This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Adopt a Municipality Program.”
b. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall establish a business advisory board. The commissioner shall chair the board and shall appoint to the board members who represent private businesses and nonprofit entities that are interested and willing to contribute services and resources to municipalities. Members of the board shall serve three-year terms without compensation. The commissioner shall appoint a program coordinator who shall administer the “Adopt a Municipality Program.”

c. The board shall encourage and coordinate municipal-business partnership. The board shall solicit municipalities and business and nonprofit entities to participate in the program. The board shall compile a list of municipal needs and circulate the list among businesses and nonprofit entities. Support of “adopted” municipalities by businesses and nonprofit entities that participate in the program may include, but shall not be limited to, the supplying of services, personnel, materials and funding. Businesses entering into the “Adopt a Municipality Program” shall not seek reimbursement for any donation of time, money, materials or personnel from the State or any subdivision thereof.

d. Contributions provided under this section by local businesses shall in no way affect the amount of State aid to which a municipality is entitled.

e. Acceptance of services, personnel, material or funding by a municipality pursuant to the “Adopt a Municipality Program” shall be subject to the applicable provisions, if any, of the “Local Government Ethics Law,” P.L.1991, c.29 (C. 40A:9-22.1 et seq.) and the “Local Public Contracts Law,” P.L.1971, c.198 (C. 40A:11-1 et seq.).

L.2001,c.342,s.12.